Using the same designs I created for my handwoven throws, these custom made ruanas are a great hit every time I attend a craft fair. And of course it really is quite a luxury to be able to choose your favourite design and colour – or colours if it is one of my multi-coloured designs – and have it woven especially for you.
If you are looking for a real statement piece that will keep you warm on the coldest of evenings, whilst giving any outfit a dramatic and elegant twist, then the full length ruana is just the thing. For a dramatic but practical look which will team just as well with a dress as with a pair of trousers or jeans then the medium length version, falling to the knee will have you standing out from the crowd but remain really functional.
Just in case you don’t know what a ruana is… it’s a thick, soft, warm and usually woollen outer garment worn by the people of the Andes region of Venezuela and Columbia.
I make all my ruanas so that they are fully reversible so, as with my throws, the two sides are very different.
As a garment they are extremely versatile and can be worn in many different ways depending on the occasion and what else you are wearing. The pictures below show just a few of these variations, and the ruana is woven in my ‘Dukagang’ style in mid grey.
Below are some more examples of my handwoven ruanas in ‘Lineal’, ‘Dukagang’ and ‘Coverlet’. These are all full length which means they will finish at approximately mid-calf level. The shorter medium length ruana starts at approximately mid-thigh level and falls away gently to the sides to about the knee, in a similar way to a waterfall style cardigan.
These very special and unique handwoven ruanas usually take about two weeks to complete from the time they are commissioned. A mid length ruana starts at £135 and a full length ruana starts at £195. If you would like to order a ruana please use the form on the contact page to send me a message. I will then contact you to discuss your choice of pattern, colour, blanket stitch colour and length.
” I would really recommend Madeleine’s ruanas. I saw her lovely woven scarves and ruanas at Wisley Craft fair, and I was able to choose particular colours for the ruana I bought which was sent to me in time for Christmas. The colours are very delicate and it will look very elegant if I wear it out in the evening.” Deirdre
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